§953. Offer of assistance

1.Written offer; terms.
Within 14 days after the acquisition of real property by a public entity or any
person covered by the terms of this chapter and not less than 30 days prior to the
date upon which the dwelling or place of business must be vacated, the public entity
acquiring the land or building, ordering the dwelling or place of business vacated,
or on whose behalf, under whose agreement or with whose funding the acquiring person
is acting, shall make a payment to compensate any person or entity who will become
displaced for estimated:

B. Actual direct losses of tangible personal property as a result of moving or discontinuing
a business or farm operation, but not to exceed an amount equal to the reasonable
expenses that would have been required to relocate such property, as determined by
the department; and [1981, c. 494, (NEW).]

C. Actual reasonable expenses in searching for a replacement business or farm. [1981, c. 494, (NEW).]

Within 14 days after the displaced person has moved, and upon presentation of documentation
of items listed in paragraphs A, B and C, the same public entity shall pay to the
displaced person any actual reasonable expenses and losses in excess of the estimated
payment made previously. If the estimated payment exceeds the actual reasonable expenses
and losses, the displaced person may retain the difference.

[
1981, c. 494, (NEW)
.]

2.Moving expense allowance.
Any displaced person eligible for payments under subsection 1, who is displaced
from a dwelling and who elects not to accept the payments authorized by subsection
1, may receive a moving expense allowance, determined according to a schedule established
by the department, not to exceed $300, and a dislocation allowance of $200.

[
1981, c. 494, (NEW)
.]

3.Fixed payment.
Any displaced person eligible for payments under subsection 1, who is displaced
from his place of business or from his farm operation and who elects not to accept
the payment authorized by subsection 1, may receive a fixed payment in an amount equal
to the average annual net earnings of the business or farm operation, except that
such payment shall be not less than $2,500 nor more than $10,000. In the case of
a business, no payment may be made under this subsection unless the department is
satisfied that the business:

A. Cannot be relocated without a substantial loss of its existing patronage; and [1981, c. 494, (NEW).]

B. Is not part of a commercial enterprise having at least one other establishment not
being acquired by a public entity or individual, or private entity on behalf of, under
agreement with or with funding from a public entity, which is engaged in the same
or similar business. [1981, c. 494, (NEW).]

[
1981, c. 494, (NEW)
.]

SECTION HISTORY

1981, c. 494, (NEW).

The Revisor's Office cannot provide legal advice or
interpretation of Maine law to the public. If you need legal
advice, please consult
a qualified attorney.